Guess who's backkkkk (for a while anyway) :D Hope you didn't miss me too much haha, thank you for waiting you lovely people :) Going to give a quick recap summary (since it's been ages the last time i released a chap and I need a refresher) but nevertheless...

Enjoy!

Recap:

With Eren and Historia being stolen away from Levi's squad and Rina's squad by the Military Police, all hell breaks loose. The Scouting Legion races after them, cutting down any MPs that get in their way. Unfortunately, Levi's forced to stop outside Wall Sina but with so much at risk, Rina calls the decision to split her squad. Jack, Linda and herself enter over the Wall and into enemy territory. Finding out the general area where Eren and Historia were being taken to, the three were on their way out before encountering a small army of MP officers. By some miracle, they all made it back out alive. Barely.

The next thing Rina knows, Levi is sleeping by her bedside in the infirmary.

I sighed and turned the page carefully, trying to keep the book open in my lap. My right hand was still within Levi's grip so I only had one hand to turn the page and keep the goddamn book open. The doctor had come in before and gave me a gentle scolding, before telling me I would be on crutches for at least 2 weeks. I definitely berated myself at this.

How the hell would I be able to do anything while on crutches? I would be put onto paperwork for sure.

Sighing, I dropped my legs before I remembered the open book. As it closed shut, I panicked, both hands slamming to save the page. Levi suddenly shot up from his seat, eyes searching the room wildly, his hand now grasping at air. I shrieked at the sudden movement, scrambling away from the chair. After a second, Levi's gaze fell onto me and his expression softened in relief. I watched with wide eyes as he slowly sunk back down onto the chair.

"Wall Maria, Levi, are you okay there? You look like you just saw a ghost." I smirked, placing my book on the side table. Levi rubbed at his eyes, leaning against the arm rest. I sighed and relaxed back against the bed frame, taking in his ruffled and untidy state.

"You need some rest-" I started.

"Do you have any fucking idea what went through my-"

"I do." I interrupted, raising an eyebrow at him interrupting me. He opened his eyes again and sent me a tired glare.

"Do you?"

"I know that you were the one who saved our asses on the wall when Brian pulled you over. I know that you personally took me out of the fray and into the infirmary. I know that you haven't slept properly in 2 days because you've been in that chair," I nodded towards it, "looking after me."

I locked eyes with the Captain and sent him a small embarrassed smile.

"Thanks for that."

What shocked me was that his narrowed eyes widened slightly, a tinge of pink tinted his cheeks and he turned his face away from me before I could see anymore. A shit-eating grin crawled onto my face and I offered my hand out to him.

"Well, if you ever want a hand to hold…" I continued to grin, shaking my hand in front of him. His own hand flicked out, slapping mine away and Levi stood up quickly, hightailing it to the door. I laughed and leaned forward, still teasing.

"My hand is always free for yours, Levi." I chuckled, continuing to wave at this back. At his name, the Captain stopped, his hand frozen to the door handle. My grin faltered to a smile.

"I was joking, Shorty."

Silence. It took a second before I realised what I had called him.

"Please don't hurt me."

Levi slowly turned around and began stalking back to my bedside. I tried to keep my laughter in and scooted across the bed away from him, dropping my hand. He reached out and snatched my wrist, pulling it towards him.

"I was kidding! Kidding!" I exclaimed. Narrowing his eyes, Levi leaned over me, his mere presence pushing me into the pillows.

"Shut up or I'll take you up on your offer." He warned lowly.

I frowned in confusion. What offer?

At my expression, Levi smirked before sliding his hand up and giving my fingers a squeeze. I blinked and apparently blinking was a cue for my heart began to beat frantically. His face returned to his usual judging expression and the Corporal swiftly exited the room.

The room remained silent for the next 15 minutes as I regained my thoughts, which had unfortunately been scattered when Levi smirked at me. I eyed my fingers, the warmth from Levi's still lingering.

Was that him teasing me? Warning me? Being genuine with me?

I shrieked at the thought and dived under my thin covers, ignoring the throb of pain from my movements.

No way he was being genuine. This was the Captain we were talking about. Neutral, passive, boring, skilled, talented, silently caring and so-

My hand raised itself and gave a good slap to my face. I flinched from the slight pain in my cheek. What the hell was I thinking? Of course he was shitting with me.

"There you are."

At those words, the covers flew from my body and replaced with a figurative train of cold air. I gasped and ripped the blanket back.

"Jesus, Hanji! Can you stop being all sneaky and go back to laughing and banging the door open? At least I knew where you are." I muttered, my mind still a little frazzled.

"If it makes you feel any better, I didn't hear what happened between you and Levi just then." she shrugged, jerking her thumb to the door.

I raised an eyebrow and carefully shuffled back up the bed.

"The fact that you even knew we were talking…"

"Is of pure coincidence. Or from the fact that when I greeted Levi, he didn't even look at me and hurried past. Whatever you did, flustered him." the brown-haired maniac hooted in laughter and plopped down into the vacant chair.

"Whatever I did? More like what he did." I huffed and settled back into the pillows. Hanji burst out again into laughter and jumped onto the end of the hospital bed instead.

"Tell me all about it!" her eyes widened in excitement, almost to the point of being scary. I sighed and sadly shook my head.

"I don't think I should, at least not without his consensus."

Hanji winked at me. "Ah, I see what's happening here. All right then, I'll respect your decision. For now."

I rolled my eyes at her.

"Moving on, I'm here to tell you what you missed out on your two days of being in a coma."

"A lot, I take it. What happened to Eren and Historia? Brian? Oh my god, how is Jack and Linda?" I panicked for a second and from sheer strength, swung my legs off the bed. A jolt of pain shot up my leg and I winced. Hanji grabbed onto my shoulders.

"Whoa there, you can't move too suddenly yourself. Jack and Linda are both…okay, in a sense."

I watched her facial expression as she paused.

"Okay…in a sense?" I repeated. "Where are they?"

"Rina, wait."

"Hanji, so help me Wall Maria, I will hop to their room if you don't help me there yourself."

"You need to brace yourself for the news first. You are their squad leader after all."

I took in a shaky breath and calmed down. Lacing my fingers together, I emptied my mind.

"You're right. Sorry, I'm still not used to being in charge. So, updates on Jack, Linda and Brian first please."

Hanji smiled and released my shoulders when she knew I wasn't going to bolt- uh, hobble out.

"Brian is fine. A little shaken when he got to us but that was because you were up against a small army of MPs. Jack is recovering well, he had to get a few stitches, much like yourself. Nothing broken."

I mentally braced myself for Linda. The last time I saw her, she practically had her lower leg smashed by a slab of roof.

"Linda still has her leg. Sort of."

"Hanji." I warned. "Give it to me straight."

The scientist sighed. "Linda still has her leg. It was broken in 2 places and her ankle was severely messed up. However, the doc reckons she'll be able to recover. What the issue is, is that although her leg will be able to recover it will takes months with the equipment we have now and..."

Another hesitation and I gently nudged Hanji's arm in encouragement. She slowly continued, gauging for my reaction.

"Linda will never be able use the 3DMG in combat again."